Environmental, Geographic, and Geological Sciences

Yuri Gorokhovich

Teaching

GEO101. Physical Geology. This course is a great tribute to geological sciences. One of the largest misconceptions about geological sciences that it is about rocks only. However, origins of geological science are in philosophical appreciation of natural systems including its traditional components such as lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Physical geology introduces students to these components and demonstrates applied nature of geological science.

GEO245. Earth Materials. Chemical elements, minerals, rocks, soils and water are unique components of the earth that provide resources for all types of human activities. This course provides in-depth study of these components and introduces students to basic analysis of minerals, rocks and sediments. Few field trips introduce students to mining in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and sedimentary structures in Long Island.

GEO 340. Natural Hazards and Disasters: A Multidisciplinary Approach. This course covers natural hazards and disasters, their origins, physical and social implications. It demonstrates how elements of geographic, geological, social and political analysis are applied to risk estimation, mitigation and management. I use in this course Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis to teach students how to use spatial data and make maps for decision making.

GEP635. Natural Hazards and Risk Analysis with GIS. Presentation of fundamentals of the natural hazards and disasters origin, physical and social implications, methods of quantitative and qualitative analysis. Course includes elements of geographic, geological, social and political analysis applied to risk estimation and mitigation and management measures. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools and analytical techniques are included in lab exercises and assignments.

GEP 375. Data and Acquisition Methods for GIS Analysis. This course covers the techniques of data acquisition and their creation for spatial analysis in geographic information systems (GIS). Students will learn various techniques for data capture, processing and analysis. Labs focus on data integration and use of GIS. Few field trips for data collection are conducted on weekends.

GEP 675.Data Acquisition and Integration Methods for GIS Analysis. The techniques and science of data acquisition and creation for spatial analysis in geographic information systems (GIS). Each student is expected to conduct a term project or participate as part of the group. The project will include field data component and analytical part using GPS and GIS.

GEO350. Topics in regional geology and mapping techniques: Cretan Geological and Historical Landscape. This course is a part of the study abroad that was proposed in 2010 together with the Department of History. The course will teach students interdisciplinary approach to field work and data interpretation using geology of Crete. Bronze Age (Minoan) settlements on Crete will be used to demonstrate interaction between humans and geological landscape. The course will teach students principles of geology and geologic methods of field investigation and data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS).The course will teach students how to see geologic features in the field and interpret them, how to find and incorporate spatial data into analytical framework for geological and archaeological analysis. Use of GIS for mapping and data entry will provide students with necessary skills for practical work with collected terrain data and satellite imagery. Labs will use data collected in the field and downloaded from NASA, USGS, NOAA and other sites. Collected data from the field will be a basis for the final field report and its presentation to class.